Cable claims big parties are so divided that Brexit might never happen

● Lib Dem leadership candidate believes getting a good deal from EU ‘too difficult’

Brexit may never happen because the difficulty of getting a good deal with the EU is too great, and the UK is too politically divided to agree terms, Sir Vince Cable has said.

The former Cabinet minister, who is the only candidate to replace Tim Farron as Lib Dem leader, said he believed Jeremy Corbyn’s popularity would dwindle as young voters realise the Labour leader backs a “hard” Brexit.

Sir Vince also said he backed “moderate” tax increases, arguing that measures to balance the books needed to shift away from swingeing cuts.

Speaking on the BBC’S Andrew Marr Show yesterday, he said: “There is an imminent issue, which is whether the government continues to pursue the so-called hard Brexit – leaving the customs union and single market.”

Sir Vince warned that if the economy suffers, people will reconsider Brexit and “the whole question of continued membership will once again arise”.

He said: “I’m beginning to think that Brexit may never happen. The problems are so enormous, the divisions within the two main parties are so enormous I can see a scenario in which this doesn’t happen.”

The former business secretary, who was returned to the Commons at the General Election after regaining his Twickenham seat, highlighted divisions within the two largest parties.

Asked if defectors from Labour would be welcome in his party, Sir Vince said: “We have a generous policy to refugees and if they come they will get food and accommodation. I don’t know what will happen, it’s a symptom of very, very deep division.”

He claimed “there is an element of a bubble” about Labour’s General Election gains because Mr Corbyn “is very pro-brexit, and a hard Brexit,andwhenthatbecomes apparent the divisions in the Labour Party will become more real and the opportunity for us to move into that space will be substantial”.

Sir Vince said he would produce a leadership manifesto even if elected unopposed.

0 Sir Vince Cable warned that if the economy suffers, people will reconsider Brexit